Matanchen Bay, San Blas,and Mazatlan

Our battery charger/inverter did eventually tell us it had seen better days, so during our stay in La Cruz we installed a lovely new one.  And, just in the nick of time, as we left for California and taxes the day after the install.  The trip home was bittersweet, we got to see Woody, and many, many friends which was so great.  Taxes, well they are inevitable.  The weather was really hot upon our arrival, but after a day or two it settled down into the 60's and 70's which was heaven.  We really hated to return to the humidity and heat of Puerto Vallarta.

Juan's Banana Bread stand near Matanchen Bay.  Really yummy, lots of  flavors, and steaming hot from the oven.

   After getting the boat ready to depart, we headed north to Matanchen Bay and the small town of San Blas.  This area is known for its no-see-ums around dawn and dusk, so we were careful to have our bug screens out early.  We took the dinghy ashore and found a generous local with a VW bug who took us into town for the day.  It is a working town, many small shops and businesses, but the lack of enthusiasm in the people was evident.  The smiles were not as easily brought forth, and people languished in the few shady places in the town square near the church.  Maybe it was an off day, but we felt that the town was not thriving.  One thing that they are also known for is their banana bread, as the area is encompassed by banana trees and mangroves.  It is a part of the largest mangrove marsh on the mainland of Mexico.  So, we helped out the economy by enjoying their almond banana bread.  Yum!

If you don't have a stand to sell from, become one.  A familiar sight at most beaches in Mexico.

   Next stop was Stone Island anchorage.  Not really an island, but definitely a stone peninsula with cute goats grazing amid the rocks.  We stayed there a couple nights and left for Marina El Cid in Mazatlan, a short hop north.  After we departed, some boats were burglarized, with theives stealing a dinghy and a genset.  I guess we were fortunate, but we did spend a lot of time on the boat watching the festivities onshore.  It was Semana Sante that week and the beach was full of cars, people, boats towing bananas piled with screaming tourists.  This is the week when the Mexican people take to the beaches and become tourists, and the gringos step back and enjoy their fun.

Happily ensconced in the dining car on the El Chepe train to Divisidero.  

   Marina El Cid is a resort, with frequent live mariachi music, great swimming pools, and lots of activities.  We met up with several friends who arrived to join in the fun. Boats included: Tardis, Sirena, Osprey and Adventurer.  During our chats with Tardis, we decided to all go up to the Copper Canyon and try the zip line this time.

Day one at the Barranca Hotel in Divisidero.

   We took the first class bus to Los Mochis, spent one night, then another bus to El Fuerte, spent another night, then hopped on the El Chepe train to Divisidero and the Barranca Hotel.

Day two... what a difference a day makes.

 It was a beautiful trip, the recent rains had helped make the forest green and the river more lively.  We tried to get up to the zip line on the afternoon of our arrival, however the weather had other ideas.

What a dream-like setting here in Divisidero.  Love the jackets, a first in Mexico.

 As Leif was attached to the cable, a loud clap of thunder resonated nearby and the guides' walkie talkie announced that we were on hold until the weather passed.  Actually we were very relieved as the guides didn't seem to be well trained or overly thrilled to take us.  They hurried through the instructions, all in Spanish, and didn't seem to care if I knew what the signals meant or not.  So, relieved we headed back to the hotel and dinner.  The next day, it snowed!  Not just a flake or two, it snowed pretty much all day, what a treat it was.  All of the locals were out with their cameras taking pictures, even the Tarahumara people had a camera in one hand and their baskets in the other.  They make amazingly intricate baskets out of pine needles and sell them for small amounts, 30-200 pesos.

And they make excellent beds as well!

Finally on the third day we got to the zip line with a very experienced group of guides and had the best time!  We did the 7 lines over the canyon and ended with the "worlds longest" of 8100'.  What a great time we had with Jamie and Elaine, who continued their trip on up to Creel before returning to Mazatlan.

Don't look down... at least not at first.  Totally fun and worth the wait.

  We ended up loving Mazatlan, the weather was excellent, cool in the shade and warm in the sun.  Not too humid, few bugs.  Of course the numerous excellent restaurants were helpful as well.  It's a place that I'd love to return to if we do fly down to Mexico after selling the boat.  Love the pulmonias too.  (small open air cars propelled by VW engines)  They are a riot.  It was getting time to make our crossing to Baja, so we began watching the weather and tides, and planning our getaway.  The marina entrance is an exciting one, shallow, with S turns and if the swell is up, breaking waves and strong current.  Of course it can be benign as well, which is what we want.  So, on a high tide, with calm seas, we motored out and began our two day, two night crossing to Balandra bay and La Paz.

On the road again...  Headed out of Mazatlan towards the San Lorenzo channel and La Paz.